Prozac
® (
fluoxetine hydrochloride) is a prescription medicine used to treat a number of conditions within the brain.
Prozac is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. Generic versions are made by several manufacturers.
Prozac is licensed to treat a number of conditions.
These uses include the treatment of:
Sarafem® (a brand-name medication that contains the exact same medication as Prozac) is also licensed to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), but Prozac and its generic forms are not approved for this use.
Prozac is part of a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or
SSRIs for short. SSRIs act on a specific chemical within the brain known as serotonin. This is one of several chemicals used to send messages from one nerve cell to another.
As a message travels down a nerve, it causes the end of the cell to release serotonin. The serotonin enters the gap between the first nerve cell and the one next to it. When enough serotonin reaches the second nerve cell, it activates receptors on the cell and the message continues on its way. The first cell then quickly absorbs any serotonin that remains in the gap between cells. This is called "reuptake."
Normally, this process works without any problems. When the levels of serotonin become unbalanced, however, it can cause a variety of conditions, including
depression. Prozac helps block the reuptake of serotonin so more remains in the space between the brain's nerve cells. This gives the serotonin a better chance of activating the receptors on the next nerve cell.
Several studies have looked at the effects of Prozac on a variety of conditions.
Depression
Studies have shown Prozac to be effective for
depression treatment in children, teens, and adults. These studies included children as young as eight years old. Another study showed that a long-acting form (Prozac Weekly) was also effective for treating depression in adults.
OCD
In studies, 28 percent of people with
obsessive-compulsive disorder (
OCD) who took Prozac felt their OCD was "much improved," compared to only 8 percent of those who were not taking it. None of the people taking the medication felt that their OCD was worse, compared to 8 percent of people not on Prozac. In other studies, the drug was also shown to be effective for OCD in children and teens.
Bulimia
Studies have shown Prozac to be effective for treating
bulimia in adults. While the
antidepressant effects of the drug may take longer to be seen, its effects for treating bulimia were seen within one week. Also, Prozac helped people with bulimia, regardless of whether they had
depression. The drug has not been studied in children or teens with bulimia.
Panic Disorder
Two studies looked at using Prozac to treat adults with
panic disorder. Up to 62 percent of people taking the drug were free from
panic attacks, compared to only 44 percent of those not taking it. Prozac has not been studied in children or teens with panic disorder.
Some general considerations for when and how to take Prozac include the following:
- Prozac comes in capsules and liquid form. It is taken by mouth, usually once or twice a day.
- A long-acting form is also available (Prozac Weekly). This is taken by mouth once a week. Make sure to swallow the capsules whole (do not open, chew, or crush them).
- If Prozac makes you drowsy, try taking it before bedtime. If it causes insomnia, try taking it in the morning.
- You can take the medication with or without food. If Prozac bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
- Prozac should be taken at the same time(s) each day (for people taking Prozac Weekly, it should be taken on the same day each week) to maintain an even level in your blood.
- For the antidepressant to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Prozac will not work if you stop taking it.
The dose of Prozac your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age
- The medical condition being treated
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be taking.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects can occur with Prozac. However, not everyone who takes the
antidepressant will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
The most common side effects include:
(Click Prozac Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should tell your healthcare provider about.)
You can also read about specific side effects in the following eMedTV articles:
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Prozac?
Talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Depression, even in its most severe form, is highly treatable. As with many illnesses, getting
depression treatment early is more effective and reduces the chance of recurrence.
The most common forms of treatment for depression are medication (
antidepressants) and psychotherapy ("talk therapy"). In cases of severe depression, some healthcare providers may recommend electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Some people may also try complementary or alternative treatments for depression
(see Natural Remedies for Depression).
For most people, Prozac is quite effective in treating depression. It is also generally well tolerated. However, side effects can occur or the medicine may not work as well as needed. In these cases, your healthcare provider may recommend an alternative. Some examples of substitute depression medications include:
- Other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs)
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
What If I Take an Overdose?
People who take too much Prozac may have overdose symptoms that could include:
If you happen to take too much, seek prompt medical attention.
How Should Prozac Be Stored?
Prozac should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture or heat. It should be kept in an airtight container.
Keep Prozac and all medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your Prozac as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Prozac capsules are available in four strengths:
- Prozac 10 mg
- Prozac 20 mg
- Prozac 40 mg
- Prozac Weekly 90 mg.
The liquid form of Prozac is available in one strength: Prozac oral solution 20 mg per 5 mL (20 mg per teaspoonful). Although brand-name Prozac tablets are no longer being made, generic tablets are still available.
At this time, brand-name and generic Prozac capsules, as well as Prozac liquid, are licensed for sale. However, Prozac Weekly is currently not available in generic form.
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